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Reinforced Concrete Thin Shell Sports Facilities

A Few Samples of Sports Domes before the Monolithic™ Dome

March 19, 2004

by Melinda South


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Kingdome — Seattle, Washington

Facility: Kingdome
Architect: Naramore, Skilling and Praeger
Engineer: Jack Christiansen
Description: Football,Soccer and Baseball Stadium 660’ diameter and 250’ tall. Capacity 59,000 for Baseball and 66,000 for Football.
Owner: King County, Washington
Location: Seattle,Washington
Cost: $67 Million
Opened: March 27,1976
Demolished: March 26,2000

A $67-million concrete multipurpose stadium,the Kindome ’s seating was designed for football and opened with a soccer match on April 9,1976. The first baseball sellout in Kingdome history didn’t come until Opening Night 1990 (in the team ’s 14th season) and the team has drawn as many as 2 million fans only three times. The stadium is 660 feet in diameter and 250 feet high at the apex of its concrete dome. Four ceiling tiles fell a few hours before the gates were to open for a Mariners game in 1994. This forced the Mariners to play their final 15 games of the season, before a strike ended it, on the road. The repairs to the roof cost $70 million.

The Kingdome hosted the All-Star Game in 1979. Gaylord Perry won the 300th game of his career there in 1982,and both Randy Johnson (1990)and Chris Bosio (1993)pitched no-hitters there. Baseball history was made when Ken Griffey Sr.and Ken Griffey Jr.started a game together in the same outfield, marking the first time that a father and son had taken the field together as players.

Text from — http://www.ballparks.com/baseball/american/kingdo.htm


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Yakima Valley SunDome — Yakima, Washington

Facility: Yakima Valley SunDome
Engineer: Jack Christiansen
Description: 270’ diameter, 90’ High
Location: Yakima,Washington
Started: 1970 ’s — Still in use today

The gymnasium is the center of the facility. The 270 foot diameter dome can seat:

  • Basketball: 5,602
  • Boxing: 6,698
  • Concerts: 3,831 to 7,926
  • Rodeo: 4,850
  • Wrestling: 7,782
  • Arena Football: 5,686

The facility is frequently rented for other events, such as conventions. The Dome rents for $3,000 or 10% of the tickets, whichever is greater, per performance. Additionally the SunDome fits 300 10' x 10’ exhibit booths and 4 concession stands.

 


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University of Illinois Assembly Hall - Urbana, IL

Facility: University of Illinois Assembly Hall
Architect: Max Abramovitz
Engineer: Edward Cohen,CEO Amman & Whitney Consulting Engineers
Description: 400’ Diameter ribbed reinforced Concrete Dome, 16,000 permanent seats.
Location: Urbana,Illinois
Opened: March 2,1963
Completed: Summer 2000

The University of Illinois Assembly Hall literally comes alive after dark,with its great,white dome glowing in the night sky, the brightness within symbolic of the superstars who perform under it ’s unique roof.

From rock shows to Broadway to family shows to Fighting Illini basketball and much more, Assembly Hall has hosted the top names in show business as well as hosting numerous University and community events. Performers and events hosted at Assembly Hall include The Rolling Stones, Garth Brooks, Elvis Presley, U2, Frank Sinatra, “Les Miserables,” Bob Hope, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Aerosmith, Reba McEntire, Tina Turner, “Cats,” Bill Cosby, University of Illinois Commencement, The Harlem Globetrotters, Bruce Springsteen, “Sesame Street Live!” and countless others.

Assembly Hall opened on March 2,1963and continues to attract attention for its design and construction.Four hundred feet across, it at one time was one of only two edge supported domes in the world. The roof is supported by 614 miles of one-quarter inch steel wire wrapped at the base of the dome under intensive pressure.The architect is Max Abramovitz, a distinguished University of Illinois alumnus. His firm also designed the United Nations Buildings, much of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and the University of Illinois’ own Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.

In seating capacity, Assembly Hall ranks with the great arenas of major cities. It has nearly 16,000 permanent seats,but when portable chairs are placed on the floor for an in-the-round performance there is potential of up to 17,200 depending on the size of the stage.

The largest Illinois arena outside of The United Center in Chicago,Assembly Hall continues to present the hottest and most exciting performers and events in the world!. Asked how he likes the domes, Athletic Director Claude English said, “Well,I ’ll be honest with you. There ’s not much at all that I dislike.The actual facility is wonderful. You always look back and think about storage and things of that nature, but the actual facility — the office space, the locker rooms, the
gyms — they ’re all very good.” According to English, he and the coaches appreciate the practice gym as much or even more than the performance gym.

He said,“We now have a facility to practice in. No more cancellations because of bad weather. It ’s wonderful because we have terrible winters. It ’s been a dream come true.”

 


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HersheyPark Arena — Hershey, Pennsylvania

Facility: Hersheypark Arena
Architect/Engineer: Anton Tedesko
Owner: Hershey’s
Description: Reinforced Concrete Barrel Vault.First thin-shell built in the United States. 232 feet wide,362 feet long,100 feet high. 7228 permanent seats.
Location: Hershey, Pennsylvania
Started: Early 1936
Completed: December 19,1936

In 1996,Ray DeSouza visited the Hersheypark Arena and Stadium in Hershey,Penn. There he met Thomas C.Stephens,Director of Operations for the Arena. Ray shared the designs and plans for Monolithic Dome stadiums. Mr. Stephens was impressed and wrote this letter of recommendation based on his experience with the oldest thin-shell,concrete stadium in the country:

“When Hersheypark Arena was constructed in 1936, it was considered to be one of the finest buildings of its time. Now,60 years later, it has withstood the test of time. The Arena is an oval shaped, monolithic,reinforced concrete structure that will last into the future.

Hersheypark Arena, with seating for 7,350 has been home to hockey since its construction. This unique structure has hosted many events over the years,with one outstanding feature - not a bad seat in the house.

“The idea of a Monolithic Dome ice facility has improved the design concept. Water penetration into our concrete and expansion joints is our biggest concern in building maintenance. Those problems do not exist with this design. Anyone looking to build an ice arena should be impressed with the design,energy conservation, safety, and the unique openness of these structures. Once constructed, you can count on having a great facility for many years to come.”

Sincerely,
Thomas C.Stephens

Palazzo Dello Sport — Rome, Italy

Facility: Palazzo Dello Sport -Great Sports Palace
Engineer: Pier Luigi Nervi

Description: 330’ diameter with seating for 17,000. Ribbed reinforced concrete dome.
Location: Rome,Italy
Cost: 2 Billion Lire

Built in 1958 to 1960 for the 1960 Summer Olympic Games.

Palazzetto Dello Sport — Rome, Italy

Facility: Palazzetto Dello Sport - Great Sports Palace
Engineer: Pier Luigi Nervi

Description: 194’ diameter, 69’ high with seating for 5,000. Ribbed reinforced concrete dome.
Location: Rome, Italy
Cost: 265 Million Lire

Built in 1956 to 1957 for the 1960 Summer Olympic Games.


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Thompson Arena — Dartmouth College

Facility: Rupert C.Thompson Arena
Architect/Engineer: Pier Luigi Nervi
Description: 64’ tall reinforced concrete barrel vault with 3,500 individually-backed seats, 5 dressing rooms, 2 training rooms, features a sophisticated scoreboard suspended over mid-ice.
Owner: Dartmouth College
Location: Hanover,New Hampshire
Cost: $4.4 Million
Construction: 1973-1976

Rupert C.Thompson Arena is one of the nation’s finest multi-sports facilities. Construction of the arena began in 1973, and the first hockey game was held in November, 1975, when Dartmouth and the United States Olympic team skated to a 3-3 tie.

Formal dedication of the $4.4 million show piece was held the morning of Dartmouth’s Winter Carnival Game against Cornell in 1976 when the Big Green posted a dramatic 9-7 win. The largest crowd in Dartmouth hockey history was recorded January 12,1980 when 5,017 spectators watched the Big Green defeat Yale 7-3.
The Arena was designed by Pier Luigi Nervi, the Italian architect-engineer who also drew the complex for the 1960 Olympic games in Rome.

The Thompson Arena has 3,520 individually-backed seats plus room for 1,500 standees. Construction involved the use of 9,500 yards of pre-cast and cast-in-place concrete and 600 tons of reinforced steel.The buttresses are unique design features of the Arena.

The Arena includes five spacious carpeted dressing rooms for varsity,subvarsity and visiting teams plus two complete training rooms, offices, the William Smoyer ‘67 Lounge where the Friends of Dartmouth Hockey receptions are held, as well as storage and skate-sharpening areas.

Text from: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~mhockey/thompson.html

Leverone Field House — Dartmouth College

Facility: Leverone Field House
Architect/Engineer: Pier Luigi Nervi
Builder: Campbell and Aldrich

Description: 91,800 square foot reinforced concrete barrel vault contains indoor track facilities, a weight room and an indoor practice area for football, lacrosse, soccer, golf or rugby.
Owner: Dartmouth College
Location: Hanover,New Hampshire
Completed: 1962-1963


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Norfolk SCOPE Arena and Conference Hall

Facility: Norfolk SCOPE Arena and Conference Hall
Architect/Engineer: Pier Luigi Nervi

Description: 440’ diameter and 110’ tall, the SCOPE dome encloses 85,000 square feet. At sports events there is seating for 12,600 and capacity for 13,800 at conventions. Along with other amenities the SCOPE dome has a 150 seat restaurant.
Location: Norfolk, Virginia
Cost: $28.1 Million
Construction: 1970-1972

Opened in 1972, Norfolk Scope is the host to a wide variety of events,including Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus, conventions, concerts and family shows. Scope is proud to be the home of the Norfolk Admirals of the AHL and the Norfolk Nighthawks Arena Football team. Scope consists of a flexible main arena, modular exhibit halls and meeting rooms that can accommodate both small and large groups for private meetings, exhibits or conventions.

Text from: http://www.norfolkcvb.com/meeting/scope.cfm

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